Rachel Rockwell
Jacob Davis interviews director and choreographer Rachel Rockwell about her production of Billy Elliot the Musical at Drury Lane. Rachel Rockwell-Guest Jacob Davis-Host Recorded May 6, 2015 3jacob.davis@gmail.com
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Melancholy Play: a chamber musical
By Sarah Ruhl Music by Todd Almond Directed by Polly Noonan Produced by Piven Theatre Workshop, Evanston Chamber Music Was Just What Sarah Ruhl Needed Chicago playwright Sarah Ruhl has worked with Piven Theatre Workshop ever since she was a child. The Evanston-based training center produced many of Ruhl’s early plays before she became a … Read more
Sense and Sensibility
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Paul Gordon Directed by Barbara Gaines Based on the Novel by Jane Austen Produced by Chicago Shakespeare Theater Fun, Amusing New Adaptation Works for Fans and Newcomers Alike Barbara Gaines’s leadership at Chicago Shakespeare has brought worldwide recognition, and now, she triumphs as the director of a world premiere musical, … Read more
Ghost Gardens
By Steven Simoncic Directed by Ilesa Duncan Produced by Pegasus Theatre Chicago At Chicago Dramatists Improbable premise dulls community drama Set in suburban Detroit, Steven Simoncic’s world premiere drama, Ghost Gardens isn’t ready for the stage. This eerie drama finds Lorelle doing her now-ten year grieving for Hope, her infant who died of cancer. Childless … Read more
Side Man at American Blues Theatre
By Warren Leight Director: Jonathan Berry Produced by American Blues Theatre At the Greenhouse Theatre, Chicago Side Man is a look at the foibles of jazz musicians Side Man is a memory drama with insights into the world of jazz musician; it is a family saga and an ode to a way-of-life that is … Read more
Beast on the Moon
By Richard Kalinoski Directed by Michael Menendian Produced by Raven Theatre, Chicago A Frank and Poetic Tale of Survival Raven Theatre has produced acclaimed, high-quality shows that seek to capture the American experience for many years, under the leadership of Michael Menendian and JoAnn Montemurro. Now, as part of the commemoration of the 100th anniversary … Read more
The Impossible Adventures of Supernova Jones
By Aaron Senser Directed by Emelia Zuckerman Produced by Forget Me Not Theatre Company, Chicago A Crisis of Trauma and Depression…In Space! The most heartening sign of vibrancy in Chicago’s theatre scene is the number of young artists honing their skills, and using the stage as a form of expression and exploration. Forget Me Not … Read more
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To the Forum – Porchlight Music Theatre
Book by Burt Shevelove & Larry Gelbart Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Directed by Michael Weber Choreographed by Brenda Didier Musical Director: Linda Madonia Produced by Porchlight Music Theatre At Stage 777, Chicago “Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight!” Farce, vaudeville and manic energy fuel the all-time funniest Musical comedy ever! A Funny Thing Happened On … Read more
Lady Windermere’s Fan
By Oscar Wilde Directed by Jim Schneider Produced by Dead Writers Theatre Collective, Chicago “Ideals are dangerous things. Realities are better. They wound, but they are better.” Visually Gorgeous Production of Wilde’s Melodrama Dead Writers Theatre Collective is dedicated to high production values and beautiful aesthetics, so Oscar Wilde is a perfect fit. With its … Read more
All’s Well That Ends Well
By William Shakespeare Directed by Drew Martin Produced by Stage Left Theatre At Theater Wit, Chicago Shakespeare’s problem play, All’s Well That Ends Well, unfolds as a tough assignment If All’s Well That Ends Well isn’t tough enough to mount (especially with a not classically trained cast) then setting it in 1958-59 within a mob … Read more